Proverbs 7:4 Commentary and Bible Study

The idea here is that we should set such a high value on spiritual shrewdness and light and understanding, because that is what you get from God's word; that is what the term wisdom means. A person who does not understand God's word and what it says about the human heart and human duplicity is going to go through this life very naïvely, lacking in discernment and shrewdness. Educated by the word of God we realise this is a fallen, sinful race and it makes us spiritually shrewd. We understand that we need the forgiveness of God and a walk with him, not trusting fallen, human beings. ‘Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman.’This is an interesting illustration. The idea is – here is a young man. Is he going to be trapped by somebody in the village, a young woman in the village who is no good? Is he going to fall for her charms in some way? Is she going to trap him, ensnare him, take him off? He will marry her and she has got him, but she is not much good. Well, says Solomon in a sense, for this kind of advice value your sister. Value your sister. The women can see through the other women. She is very shrewd, she will protect you. You look after her and she will look after you. Remember that she is of the fairer sex and she needs your brotherly protection. Especially once your parents have died, keep an eye on her, be close to her and she will look after you too in these matters. You see that is the illustration and that is your relationship with truth. You guard the truth and keep it and don't let anybody harm or injure it and it will take care of you. Truth will signal to you and make you shrewd and aware that the things which you are falling for are no good and hollow and base. That is the picture language.